adjective

cantankerous

kan-TANG-kuh-ruhs/kænˈtæŋkərəs/

Bad-tempered and inclined to argue.

The cantankerous customer rejects an undamaged replacement and keeps arguing.

A scowling customer argues over a plainly undamaged replacement chair, pointing accusingly while blocking the offered replacement; the employee's open-handed, weary response makes his difficult, oppositional manner visible.

Etymology

Its origin is uncertain. One conjecture connects it with Middle English contakour, “troublemaker,” which would link the adjective to a person given to strife and opposition.

In context

Ion Books276:47

We shall have to fight him, and he won't fight her. He's a cantankerous fellow,--is Fawn,--when he's not afraid of his adversary.

The Eustace Diamonds by Anthony Trollope - Part 1/3 | Full Audiobook with Scrolling Text

More examples

A cantankerous neighbor complained about the harmless celebration.
The old sailor grew more cantankerous when tired.
Her cantankerous replies made cooperation difficult.

Forms

cantankerous · more cantankerous · most cantankerous

cantankerously adverb — in a quarrelsome way

Similar words

irritable: Irritable is easily annoyed; cantankerous adds a tendency to argue or resist.
quarrelsome: Both suggest arguing; cantankerous often implies a generally difficult temperament.